By Times Chronicle Staff
Books for Babies, is a literacy program in Oliver and Osoyoos which provides the tools for parents to start the rewarding activity of reading to their children.
Based on the belief that early childhood years (ages 0 to 5) are critical for brain/language development, this program supports parents in becoming the most effective “first” teachers of their children.
This ideal sets the stage for a child’s wellbeing and lifelong learning, working towards the development of a well-rounded, educated and confident new member of this community, which benefits everyone.
Left to right – Glenda Holden (Osoyoos Legion), Joanne Shaffrick (Osoyoos Public Library), Pat Buckland and Sherani Theophilus (SOCLS). Seated – Petra Adams with baby Liam Adams.
Each kit’s canvas book bag contains an age-appropriate board book, a picture book for siblings and for when the child grows into the next level and information on ways to foster and support emerging literacy development.
The kits are available for Oliver families due to the generous donations of the Kiwanis Club of Oliver since 2001. The Osoyoos Legion has also been providing funding since 2001 to provide kits for Osoyoos families.
Thanks to the public health nurses with Interior Health who organize and distribute the kits, the Okanagan Regional Library that provides an age-appropriate reading list for the early years and the South Okanagan Literacy Community Literacy Society (SOCLS).
For more information about this program or other literacy issues, call the SOCLS at 250-498-8433.
